A broken heart leads to desperation
Later that evening at Zaffron, Bella and Shaun are seated at a table, each with an appetizing dish before them. Bella is savouring a mixed vegetable salad drizzled with vinaigrette, elegantly presented in a petite dip bowl. Across from her, Shaun is indulging in a plate of spaghetti Napoli Tine. The table is adorned with two wine glass, each half filled with a rich red wine, accompanied by a bottle of the same exquisite vintage placed between them. While Bella enjoys her meal, Shaun absentmindedly toys with his food using the fork in his hand, his expression distant. Concerned by his demeanour, Bella observes him intently.
"Shaun are you alright?" Bella inquired, her expression filled with concern.
"Why didn't you disclose to me that Mae hails from a more esteemed lineage than yours?" he queried.
"What are you insinuating?" she inquired.
"Why didn't you inform me that Mae is a Wilson?" he retorted sharply.
"I deemed it unnecessary for you to be informed. It holds no significance", she responded.
"That seemingly trivial detail caused me considerable trouble today", he remarked in a sarcastic tone.
"What did she do?" she inquired.
"I arrived at the board meeting and discovered Mae present. Mistaking her for a mere secretary, I rejected her business proposal and insulted her. To my astonishment, CEO Wilson sided with her and was on the verge of ejecting me from the premises. It was then he revealed that Mae is his daughter. Her brother was visibly annoyed as well. I felt utterly foolish and mortified", he recounted, his eyes burning with anger.
"I deeply regret the situation. I suspect Mae deliberately orchestrated this to provoke a rift between us. Her jealousy towards your choice of me over her is evident in her actions", Bella uttered with a sorrowful expression.
Shaun extended his left hand, gently placing it on her right hand. "Mae will not succeed in driving a wedge between us. I could never harbour feelings for someone like her", he asserted.
"Truly?" she inquired, her entire countenance brightening.
"Indeed", he affirmed with a reassuring smile".
"Shall we continue enjoying our meal then?" she suggested with a radiant smile, resuming their dining.
As their conversation concluded, Mark and Zack approached, heading towards the table adjacent to Bella. Mark scanned and noticed Bella.
"Why is Bella here with Shaun Grayson? Weren't you the one who mentioned she was unwell?" Mark questioned, looking perplexed.
"What do you mean?" Zack inquired.
Mark redirected Zack's attention to Bella and Shaun's table.
"Why is she here?" Zack inquired.
"I have no explanation", Mark replied.
"I'll go speak with her", Zack declared.
"I advise against it", Mark cautioned.
"I'll return shortly", Zack announced as he made his way to Bella and Shaun's table".
"I hope she handles the situation delicately this time", Mark murmured as he headed towards the restroom.
At Bella and Shaun's table, Zack stands beside Bella, gazing at her intently.
"Didn't you mention you were suffering from a cold?" Zack inquired.
"Yes, I was, but now I am feeling significantly improved", Bella responded.
"Did you deceive me so that you could join him for dinner?" Zack questioned.
"I see you are more perceptive than you appear", Bella remarked as she delicately savoured a forkful of vegetables.
"Bella you are my girlfriend. What will the public think when they witness you dining with Shaun Grayson?" Zack pressed.
"They will likely speculate that you were inadequate for me, and perceive me as a shameless opportunist who seized the moment", Bella replied calmly.
"'Bella cease this folly. We must depart at once", Zack insisted, as he firmly grasped her right arm".
"Release my arm", she demanded, turning towards him with a chilling stare.
"Bella, cease your foolishness," Zack retorted as he intensified his hold.
"Did you not hear plea? Unhand her arm", Shaun interjected.
"Hey, refrain from meddling in affairs that do not pertain to you. Are you not ashamed to be seen in the company of another man's girlfriend?" Zack inquired.
"I am quite the charmer, Zack. Wooing away women from their partners is merely a part of my daily routine. If anyone should be experiencing feelings of shame, it ought to be you. Your actions demonstrate a lack of dignity, especially in a venue such as this. Were you not aware that Wednesday is a favoured day for the paparazzi to make their appearances?" Shaun inquired with a cunning grin.
Zack surveyed the surroundings and noticed individuals secretly and openly capturing photographs of them.
"Do yourself a favour and depart from this place. Your dull career is at the risk of irredeemable damage should you persist in causing a disturbance", Shaun stated.
"If I am to face consequences, Bella, you shall face them alongside me", Zack declared a he forcibly removed her from her seat.
"Release me at once!" Bella exclaimed as she seized her wine glass splashed its contents on Zack.
"How could you, Bella? My actions have always been motivated by love, yet you see fixated solely on material wealth and social standing. What depths of wickedness do you plumb?" Zack inquired.
"I harbour no affection for you. I never have and I never will", Bella stated firmly as she broke free from his grasp.
"Now that she has terminated your relationship, could you kindly remove yourself from our presence", Shaun stated.
"I am not leaving", Zack declared as Mark returned from the restroom, only to find a disheartened Zack at Bella and Shaun's table. He hurried over to their table.
"I will not hesitate to have security escort you out, so please depart promptly", Shaun declared.
"You do not have the authority to evict me. I am entitled to be here", Zack retorted.
"Shall we put those entitlements to the test?" Shaun inquired, a smirk playing on his lips.
"That won't be necessary", Mark interjected with a smile.
"And who might you be?" Shaun inquired.
"That is irrelevant. We apologize for any inconvenience; we will now our leave", Mark stated as he seized Zack's arm and once again escorted him out of the restaurant.
"Thank you very much, Shaun", Bella expressed, her eyes brimming with tears.
"If you start crying, I will need to confront the individual who upset you, and I believe he has endured enough this evening, so please do not escalate the situation further", Shaun remarked.
"Very well", she replied, letting out a slight chuckle.
"That's more like it", he responded with a smile.
"Are you comfortable with the photographers capturing our images?" she asked.
"Do not concern yourself with them. They are all part of my staff, so we are in good hands", Shaun assured as he savoured the wine in his glass.
"You truly are a remarkable individual, Shaun. You orchestrated a scenario where they captured images of us, creating the illusion of paparazzi, solely to instil fear in him. Your expertise at manipulation is truly impressive", she remarked.
"I admire your ability to comprehend me so effortlessly", he responded.
"Where do we stand now?" she asked.
"Perhaps we should refrain from assigning a label to our current status. Let us simply embrace the present moment and observe how things unfold", he suggested.
"Very well then", she replied with a smile of approval.